Newsletter
Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 2
Rehabilitation & Independent Living
By Dr. Michael P. Mozzoni
The Rehabilitation and Independent Living Special Interest Group met with representatives from Timber Ridge NeuroRestorative Inc., The Mentor Network, Center for NeuroSkills, Learning Services and members from the State of Alabama and the University of Guadalajara Mexico. The group spoke about conducting an evidence-based literature review regarding ABA and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) using the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) guidelines for evidence. There was conversation regarding the measures of evidence and how it fits or does not fit with what we do, as single subject designs (SSD) are rated as class-four evidence and random control trials are rated as class-one. The AAN guidelines were distributed electronically to the attendees for comment. Members were asked to search for large ABA studies utilizing random control trials or nonrandomized trials, as we were in agreement that what few ABA publications concerning ABI were all SSD to our knowledge. It was also roundly agreed that there are too few behavior analysts applying their skills to the area of neurorehabilitation. The Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration are faced with a large influx of soldiers with blast-related brain injures and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. They are interested in utilizing ABA; however, there are too few practitioners to provide services. As a result they are forced to look elsewhere for help although they are increasingly aware of the utility of ABA. We have an opportunity to provide services to a very needy and high profile population, which could increase the visibility and value of ABA in mainstream America.